Child porn threat to airport?s ?virtual strip search? scanners

Manchester Airport has rejected claims its new body scanners will fall foul of child pornography laws, claiming that because they use X-rays “they do not make an image”.

The machines use low doses of radiation to deliver a 3D black and white scan of volunteer passengers’ bodies to a human operator sat in front of a screen. The scans reveal objects concealed underneath their clothes – including genitals.

The airport says the technology will improve and speed up security checks.

During the 12-month trial children will be scanned if their parents give consent. The policy has prompted the children’s civil rights group Action on Rights for Children (ARCH) to write to bosses, insisting they will break the law.

Making an indecent image of a child is an offence under the Protection of Children Act – the fact Manchester Airport scans will not be stored is irrelevant in the eyes of the law.